PUNTO X – Union City’s own MeLu Communications Group and Latin Jazz USA Productions, in association with OLLANTAY Center for the Arts, will present the world premiere of the play "Cuba: Punto X," written and directed by renowned theatre and film professional Ivan Acosta. The play opens on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 8 p.m. at The Producers' Club located at 358 West 44th St. in New York City for a two-week engagement. For more information, call (212) 868-4444.

Union City will be observing Patriots Day, Sept. 11, with the Sept. 11th Ceremony of Remembrance at 7 p.m. at Liberty Plaza located at 30th Street & Palisade Avenue.

All residents are welcome to attend.

Two 13-year-olds charged with arson related to Saturday night factory fire in UC

Union City Police have charged two 13-year-old residents with arson and three other juveniles with criminal trespass in relation to a fire at an abandoned embroidery factory at 2706 Kennedy Blvd. Saturday night, Police Chief Brian Barrett confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

Thanks to the help of residents in the neighborhood who came forward to report children coming out of the back of the factory, detectives were able to locate one of the juveniles, which led to the location and interview of the remaining four.

"Our number one concern was to make sure there were no kids left in the building," Barrett said. "We wanted to locate them to make sure they were all safe."

The department received a call around 6 p.m. Saturday evening reporting smoke coming from the factory, and upon the officers' arrival, flames were coming from the back of the building, Barrett said. The fire reached a third alarm before being put out, and the building, which was in poor condition before the fire, will most likely be razed, Barrett added.

The juveniles were located within three hours of the report of the fire in a vacant building on Summit Avenue, Barrett said.

"Without the neighborhood's help coming forward and providing information," Barrett said, "it would have been impossible to find them."

Holy Family Parish to hold annual international festival

Union City’s Holy Family Parish will hold its 15th Annual International Festival on Sunday, Sept. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Central Avenue between 32nd and 35th streets.

The festival will begin with Mass at 10:30 a.m. and then move across the street for the festivities. Family, friends, and neighbors are welcome to share and enjoy the great diversity of cultures that make up the neighborhood. There will be food, entertainment, music, arts and crafts, international displays, and games for children.

For more information, call (201) 867-6535.

Dvine Konektion to hold Community Fair

The Dvine Konektion Community Development Corporation, a non-profit organization based in West New York, hosts a free Community Fair every month as a way of helping those in need. They distribute free bags of groceries and baby supplies such as formula, diapers and wipes to families living in Hudson County.

Dvine Konektion is having its next Community Fair on Saturday, Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 5516 Jefferson St. in West New York. Those interested in attending or donating food and/or items can call (201) 617-4484 for more information.

Arts at St. John’s extends summer program

The Arts at St. John's Summer Wellness Program has been extended for two additional Tuesdays until Sept. 18. They will offer the following classes:

-5:45 p.m. Belly Dancing with Caridad

-6:00 p.m. Strength and Stretch with Guinevere

-7:00 p.m. Kundalini Yoga with Felix

-8:15 p.m. Meditation with Joe

St. John’s is located at 1516 Palisade Ave. in Union City. Please enter from the side door on 16th Street.

Meeting Sept. 11 for CASA volunteers

Are you interested in helping children in the foster care system? If so, Hudson County CASA is currently recruiting volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA works through trained community volunteers to insure that needed services and assistance are made available to children while helping to move them toward safe and permanent homes.

CASA (court appointed special advocate) and its volunteers speak for children in court, serve as fact finders for the judges and safeguard the interests of the children while they are in the foster care system.

If interested, attend an information session to learn more about the program and the role of its volunteers. A session will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 6 to 7 p.m. in room 400 of the Hudson County Administration Building at 595 Newark Avenue, Jersey City.

Third Annual O’Connell’s Run to Cure Cystic Fibrosis to be held Sept. 15

The Third Annual O’Connell’s Run To Cure Cystic Fibrosis, a 5K run in Union City and Weehawken, will be held Sept. 15 to help raise money to fight this often fatal disease. Runners and walkers start the race from Second Street and Palisade Avenue in Union City at 9:30 a.m. Registration on the day of the event begins at 7:30 a.m. but pre-registration is encouraged.

O’Connell’s Run, started in 2010 by Union City residents Maria and Bob O’Connell to raise awareness about Cystic Fibrosis, is a fast course that provides a great day out for runners and walkers alike. All of the proceeds from O’Connell’s Run 2011 will benefit The Cystic Fibrosis Center at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.

Registration for the 5K is $20 prior to the race and $25 on the day of the event. Race fees are tax deductible. Participants can register online. The race takes place just a short walk from Hoboken.

A Kids’ Fun Run has been added to the 2012 event. Younger runners ages 5 through 13 will complete a half-mile out and back route starting at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.oconnellsrun.com.